Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, has lauded the national athletic contingent for their stellar performance at the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The UAE achieved its most successful result since its debut in 1978, securing 13th place overall among 45 nations and finishing second among Arab countries. With a historic haul of seven gold, five silver, and one bronze medal, the team surpassed previous records, demonstrating a new level of competitiveness on the continental stage. Sheikh Mansoor emphasized that this success is a testament to the athletes' unwavering resilience and ambition to elevate the nation’s standing in global sports.

Individual brilliance defined the UAE’s campaign, notably through Mariam Kareem, who set both an Asian Games record and a new Asian U20 record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 54.31 seconds. Sheikh Mansoor also celebrated the legacy of Sheikha Latifah bint Ahmed bin Juma Al Maktoum, whose silver medal in the team show jumping event brought her career total to four, tying the record for the most medals by a female equestrian in the history of the Games. From judo and jiu-jitsu to equestrian and track events, the diverse successes of the 165-member UAE delegation highlight a promising future for Emirati sports, signaling that this record-breaking performance is merely the beginning of greater achievements to come.